THE Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) has started installing on October 14 the P-alert system quake rapid damage assessment devices and rain gauges in 20 locations in the metro.
The devices were installed at the CDRRMO building in City Motorpool on Delgado St. and Tanza Bonifacio in City Proper; Molo and Arevalo police stations; district plazas of Mandurriao, La Paz, and Jaro; SM City mall; and Barangays So-oc and Hibao-an Norte in Mandurriao.
The devices were also installed in Barangays Buntatala, Ungka, Dungon B, Tabuc Suba, Balabago, Balantang and Tacas in Jaro.
Other villages include Sta. Cruz, Arevalo; San Isidro, La Paz; and Nabitasan, Lapuz.
CDRRMO head Donna Magno said the initiative aims to build a smart sensor network, set up a cloud-based decision supporting system, and deliver capacity building program for information intelligence.
They earlier met with punong barangays, heads of La Paz Maternity Health Clinic, Iloilo City Police Office, and city Bureau of Fire Protection to discuss partnerships in utilizing the warning equipment.
P-alert can give warning and chance to act before the main devastating shock wave arrives-- a P-wave of an earthquake is like seeing lightning before hearing the thunder, the developer said in its website.
"This gives you a small but important window to prepare, time at least to open the door, maybe switch off gas, then duck and cover. Or best of all, it provides time to escape outside," it added. (PR)